This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

MINNEAPOLIS—The Blue Jays lost another one-run game on Saturday afternoon to drop their record in such contests to a dismal 3-11 on the season, the second-worst mark in the majors.

“That’s got to change or you’re not going to do anything, that’s for sure,” said manager John Gibbons after his team’s 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. “My gut tells me that’s going to change. The law of averages says that’s going to change a little bit.”

The primary culprits in the Jays’ inability to win close games this season — a shaky bullpen and spotty situational hitting — were on full display Saturday, as the club went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. And the winning run was scored against reliever Aaron Loup, who was charged with his fourth loss of the season, most among AL relievers.

“We had a lot of opportunities early,” Gibbons said. “We had ’em on the ropes a few innings, but (Twins starter Kyle Gibson) got some key outs at some key times. It was one of those games it was back and forth, they got the big hit and we didn’t.”

As Gibbons said, the law of averages suggests the Jays’ record in one-run games should even out as the season goes on. But it’s also a reflection of the team’s struggles to hold leads and drive in key runs with clutch hits. The Jays lead the majors in runs scored by a wide margin, so it’s tough to blame their offence for where they’re at. At the same time, they rank 10th in the majors in hitting with runners in scoring position; four times on Saturday they had a man in scoring position with less than two outs and failed to drive in a run.

Article Continued Below

The Jays' Jose Reyes safely steals second as Twins' Brian Dozier reaches in vain for the errant throw during action Saturday in Minneapolis. (Jim Mone / The Associated Press)

“We had a lot of opportunities to kind of bust the game open and we didn’t today,” said catcher Russell Martin. “Whether it be from poor hitting or them making pitches at the right time, we had a lot of opportunities and our offence needs to come through more consistently for us to win more games, especially the close games.”

Starter Aaron Sanchez was mostly solid on Saturday, allowing just a pair of runs over six innings. It marked the 10th time in the last 11 games the Jays’ starting pitcher threw at least six innings, as the rotation finally begins to settle in after a rough first month of the season. The 22-year-old rookie right-hander, who has the highest walk rate in the majors, still battled his command at times but was helped by Martin, who threw out another two attempted base-stealers on Saturday.

“Honestly when I’m out there I just tell myself just be quick to the plate, because I know with that dude’s cannon behind the dish we got a chance every time out,” Sanchez said.

Martin leads the majors with 18 runners thrown out this year, while his 51.4 per cent success rate is also tops among any catcher who has thrown out more than eight runners.

It’s a wonder anyone still runs on him.

“I encourage them to keep running,” Martin said after the game. “I would like that.”

After the game infielder Steve Tolleson, who suffered a groin strain earlier this week, was added to the disabled list, while Munenori Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. Kawasaki’s stint may be short-lived, however, since second baseman Devon Travis is expected to return from his shoulder injury at some point next week.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com